Large breeds dominated the top 10, a fact that only reinforced my own bias: bigger is better when it comes to man's best friend.

I love dogs in general, but I've always been partial to the Marmaduke types with huge paws, the kind that bowl you over as soon as you walk in the door, that muscle you off the love seat and completely take over the bed.

It started when I was a kid growing up with German shepherds, first a white shepherd named Houie and, later, a black-and-tan named Heidi.

Both are now gone, but they left great memories. Heidi was lovable and goofy, spooked into raucous barking by the slightest noise. Houie was fiercely loyal and stronger, happiest when running on the beach with a stick or a tennis ball in his mouth.

The big dogs I'm privileged to know now only reinforce the place those breeds hold in my heart.

Mia, my boss' beautiful and extremely sweet-tempered golden retriever, willingly lets my toddler "pet" her and tug her tail; when Nora was smaller, Mia let her sit on her back.

We don't own any dogs right now, but our family does include Sammy, a long-suffering, patient -- and, thankfully, fast-moving -- kitty who tolerates the 2-year-old's attempts to befriend him.

I'm not sure if the Cat Fanciers' Association releases a most popular list, but Sammy's No. 1. on mine for that reason alone.